Friedrich gets Voller call

Germany coach Rudi Voller has called up uncapped Hertha Berlin defender Arne Friedrich for next week's friendly against Bulgaria in Sofia.

Friedrich, 23, is the only new face as Voller keeps faith with the majority of the squad that helped Germany reach the World Cup final this summer.

Also back is Bayern Munich striker Alexander Zickler, who missed the World Cup through injury.

Not included in the 20-man squad are Marco Bode and Oliver Bierhoff, who have both retired, and injured quartet Christian Ziege, Lars Ricken, Frank Baumann and Marko Rehmer.

However there is a place for young Bochum midfielder Paul Freier, whose only previous appearance came in a 28-minute run-out against Kuwait prior to the World Cup.

The decision to include Freier will come as no surprise to his coach at Bochum, Peter Neururer, who told German newspaper Bild before the squad announcement: "I will hold every bet, that he is a regular player of the national team by 2004."

Germany squad for friendly against Bulgaria in Sofia on August 21:

Goalkeepers: Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Jens Lehmann (Borussia Dortmund)

Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Ingo Hertzsch (Hamburg), Sebastian Kehl, Christoph Metzelder (both Borussia Dortmund), Carsten Ramelow (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich), Daniel Bierofka (Bayer Leverskusen), Jorg Bohme (Schalke), Paul Freier (Bochum), Torsten Frings (Borussia Dortmund), Dietmar Hamann (Liverpool), Jens Jeremies (Bayern Munich), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen)

Strikers: Gerald Asamoah (Schalke), Carsten Jancker (Udinese), Miroslav Klose (Kaiserslautern), Oliver Neuville (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexander Zickler (Bayern Munich).